Delhaize Closing 33 Sweetbays

"What we are announcing today is a first step to stop the bleeding at loss-making operation, and definitely over time a more structural solution for the rest of Sweetbay would be a logical step."
— Pierre Bouchut, CFO, Delhaize Group

SALISBURY, N.C. — Just days after Delhaize let go of 15 top-level U.S. executives, the retailer said it would close 33 stores of its fledging Sweetbay banner.

The Sweetbay stores, which were all money-losers, will close by mid-February, officials said. The executive changes represent a 25% reduction in the number of company officers and continue a rapid turnover in personnel begun in October